hen turned off along the top of the dyke he
had described. The moment they turned they heard shouts, evidently
coming from the horsemen they wished to avoid.

"Those are Spanish voices," said the captain. "I know them well. Push
on, Berthold!" But the road along the top of the dyke was much rougher
than the one they had left, and it made it necessary for them to keep a
careful hand on their reins to prevent their horses from falling. From
the way the dyke ran it formed an angle with the high road, and they
were soon again brought within sight of the Spanish horsemen, who
shouting out to them to stop, fired several shots in rapid succession.

"The fellows are not bad marksmen," said Berthold, "for I heard two or
more bullets whistle close to my ears."

Captain Van der Elst continued shouting out, "Ride on! ride on!" more to
show that he himself was unhurt than that there was any necessity to
urge on Berthold. The Spaniards were evidently unwilling to trust
themselves to the low ground for fear of finding that it was a morass,
into which their steeds might plunge with little hope of extricating
themselves. On seeing that the fugitives had a good chance of escaping,
although some of the Spaniards galloped after them along the road, the
others continued firing their carbines, though fortunately they missed
their aim. The two fugitives were soon beyond the range of the Spanish
musketeers, but Captain Van der Elst still cried out to his companion,
"Go on! go on!" for, glancing behind him, he saw indistinctly through
the gloom the heads of several horsemen following them.

"We shall soon be at the bridge," cried Berthold. "I do not think the
Spaniards will attempt to cross it." Just as he had announced that they
were close upon it they saw a body of horse who had evidently galloped
round to take possession of the post. This discovery was made, however,
in time to enable Berthold to ride his horse down the side of the dyke,
the captain following his example. "Come along," he cried out, "the
ground is somewhat soft, but these horses are accustomed to it, and we
may get over it much faster than our pursuers." Having proceeded some
distance, they had good reason to hope that they had not been seen.

"We must now make for the river, and a few minutes will carry us safe
across it," said Berthold.

The horses as they reached the bank, without hesitation plunged in, and
bravely breasted the smooth water. They had go